The SCWC community has fostered author excellence since 1986. Fact is, little excites us more than welcoming back past conferees who’ve gone on to publication success because of achieving it. David Putnam is one such writer. Our first Special Guest Speaker to be announced for SD12, his The Disposables, now out from Oceanview, represents the quality of storytelling we want every writer to aspire to. Michael Connelly effuses, “I really loved The Disposables. It’s raw, powerful and eloquent…a gritty street poem recited by a voice unalterably committed to redemption and doing the right thing in a wrong world.” T. Jefferson Parker proclaims it, “Dark, disturbing and all too believable, this is the tale of one man’s quest for atonement in a world where innocence is a liability.” And from Booklist, “This novel gives off heat… [with] unique and startling plot twists. But what really recommends the book is the high octane presentation… [and] the sense of urgency and authenticity, the feeling that this is the real deal, set down by somebody who was there and still hasn’t gotten over it.” Welcome back, David.
While we’re a ways off from the winter conference in February (kind of a misnomer when you’re in San Diego), plenty of trusted, familiar friends are already aboard, along with many new to the fold that we’ll announce soon. As usual, we’ll be rife with read & critique workshops, advance submissions, interactive troubleshooting and craft-centric sessions, our popular DYI (Do Yourself Independence) track, agents, editors and more. If you haven’t, be sure to subscribe to our periodic .COMmunity updates and receive all the latest. (Or join the well-moderated conversation on our SCWC Facebook group.)
Reward Your Readers
With an estimated 50,000-plus titles currently being released each month, it’s safe to say that a Day of Reckoning will sometime soon be upon us. Why? Because of premature e-publication. Good storytelling matters. Quality writing matters. Forgettable e-books that are written “good enough,” merely to game the ever-changing algorithms in pursuit of the quickest cash-in grift, suck. And in the end, discerning readers—agents, acquisition editors, book buyers–and the ruthlessly pragmatic, analytical profiteers behind the digital retail curtain will code a means of rewarding quality, not quantity, of material, no matter how slick the book cover; no matter what number of 5-star reviews. Generally, one brief “Look Inside” a book is all anybody needs to know about how seriously a writer regards her work, or, worse, how little she respects her reader.
Because of the numbers, writers everywhere are quickly moving into a market of diminishing returns. But there remains a fighting chance for those who stick to quality craft, business savvy and consistency of execution. Satisfying the expectations roused in one’s readership—rewarding your readers at every level, regardless of genre–is the starting point. And that’s where we’re starting as we begin building the SD29 schedule.
Early “Bard” Registration is now open. Do so by Sept. 15 and save $100 on Full Conference participation. Up next is our fall conference in Newport Beach. If we don’t see you there, we look forward to seeing you in San Diego come February.
In the meanwhile, aim for excellence and settle only for exceptional. “Good enough” is a concession made only by grifters.
–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC
